I am trying to go with a little less obvious starting options than before. After all, it doesn't take an expert to understand that you should throw Ray Rice out there on a weekly basis. With that in mind, there are some fantasy stars that are facing favorable matchups this week, they will be included in this article.
Once again, probably to a flaw, I take into account matchups a great deal. For example, anyone going up against the Oakland Raiders defense should be considered starting material. I could care less if he was just picked up next to the "Bunny Ranch" intoxicated off of booze and well, you know.
Quarterbacks
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis will be going up against what is a struggling New York Jets defense across the board. The loss of Darelle Revis, New York’s best overall player, definitely hurts here.
It is also important to note that Luck is the No. 3 ranked fantasy quarterback through the first five weeks and is coming off a 27-point performance against the Green Bay Packers last week.
Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
My longtime readers have an understanding that I rarely recommend starting Vick. It is nearly impossible to justify starting someone that turns the ball over as much as the Eagles’ quarterback. Interception or fumble, it really doesn’t matter.
That being said, I really like the matchup here. While Detroit does rank 10th against the pass, this is going to be arguable their most difficult test in regards to pass-defense. Look for Vick to avoid the turnovers and put up some huge fantasy numbers.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Mr. Obvious being obvious here .Why would anyone avoid starting Ryan against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Oakland Raiders? Oakland is giving up over 280 yards through the air per game and is yielding a 113 quarterback rating to opposing quarterbacks.
Oh, and Ryan has accumulated a minimum of 18 fantasy points in each of his first five games. I think we can read between the lines here.
Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals
If you were to ask me at the start of the season if I would recommend Kolb being a QB1 option at any point this season I would have probably slapped you close fisted in the face. Seriously, this makes little sense.
Well, Arizona is facing a Buffalo Bills defense that has yielded nearly 1,200 total yards over the course of the last two games and is downright horrible on the defensive side of the ball. Adding more fuel to the fire is the fact that Arizona is without both Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells in the run game.
Running Backs
Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts
Ballard gets the start over Donald Brown, who is set to miss a couple weeks after undergoing knee surgery. The Colts go up against a New York Jets defense that has yielded an average of 172 on the ground.
Look for Indianapolis to utilize the ground game as a precursor for play-action with Andrew Luck in the passing game. I am expecting Ballard to get 20-plus touches in his initial NFL start.
Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
McFadden has been one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football, ranking just 31st in the NFL in rushing yards through five weeks. That being said, Oakland is going up against an Atlanta Falcons defense that is pedestrian against the run. If the Raiders have a chance to win this game they are going to have to keep Matt Ryan and company off the field. That means that they will look to go to ground-and-pound early and often.
I fully expect McFadden to see the ball the most he has this season. If Oakland is able to maintain time of possession they are going to be in decent shape to pull off an upset. Don’t think this idea is lost on Dennis Allen and company.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cleveland Browns gave up 243 yards on the ground to a relatively weak New York Giants rush offense last season. They are also banged up along the interior of the defensive line. All indications are that Green-Ellis should be able to provide RB1 numbers come.
Though not a fantasy stud by any standards, the veteran running back has put up an average of 70 total yards per game this season. Expect him to hit triple-digits when all is said and done today.
Wide Receivers
Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
Harvin leads the world in targets and receptions. There is absolutely no reason to believe that either will change once the final whistle is blown in D.C. this afternoon. Despite being a vastly improved team, The Washington Redskins have yielded the second most passing yards in the NFL thus far this season.
I fully expect Harvin to put up some dazzling numbers today. He is going to get the targets and is facing a weak secondary. Look for something to the tune of 10 receptions for 150 yards and a score. Those are WR1 numbers right there.
Roddy White and Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Everyone and anyone should get into the party for Atlanta against one of the worst defenses in the National Football League in the Oakland Raiders. Do you seriously think that the Raiders combo of average defensive backs are going to be able to hold with White or Jones in check?
Expect both of these WR1 options to put up 100 yards and a score. I could care less if their targets are going to be limited due to the presence of the other.
Tight Ends
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons
Again, it is all about Atlanta’s opponent on Sunday. Expect the Falcons to go to the air early and often against the Oakland Raiders later today in an attempt to put the game away early.
Gonzalez doesn’t just lead NFL tight ends in receptions, he leads the entire NFL in that category. Additionally, the future Hall of Famer is pretty much as sure handed as they come. I am expecting a TE1 output from him today.
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings
As I mentioned earlier, Minnesota is taking on a weak Washington Redskins pass defense. Rudolph has been one of Christian Ponder’s favorite safety valves through the first five games of the season as well.
He will be targeted once Minnesota gets close to the end zone, which definitely ups his fantasy value in a huge way.